Manchester United close to Sergio Ramos deal - reports

Manchester United have been linked with a move to sign Sergio Ramos on a pre-contract agreement from Real Madrid.

The 34-year-old Spanish international has been making slow progress over a contract extension to stay in the capital, and it now appears that there is little hope of an agreement being reached.

Ramos’ demands could be too great given the impact of the coronavirus on club finances across Europe, with the impact so severe that Real Madrid did not make a single signing in the summer transfer window.

However, they are believed to be in pole position to sign David Alaba from Bayern Munich, with the 28-year-old Austrian international also set to run down his contract over the course of the next few months, meaning he took can be signed on a free transfer.

Ramos came close to signing for Manchester United when Louis van Gaal was manager but the deal ultimately fell through, in part because Ed Woodward was involved and the executive vice-chairman has repeatedly shown that he is unable to do his job to the required standard to make the most of United’s resources.

Todofijaches report that Ramos’ agent René Ramos will travel to England next week to finalise a two-year deal that could be worth around £200,000 a week. Ramos would join Edinson Cavani as an experienced figure in United’s side, and give added protection to David de Gea, who continues to struggle to find his best form after a brief improvement earlier in the season.

United need a new central defender because Slabhead has been hugely underwhelming since his £80 million transfer from Leicester City, Victor Lindelof is far from physically imposing or good on the ball, and Eric Bailly cannot be trusted to stay fit. And the less said about Phil Jones, the better, so: